United must score: Ferguson

Despite holding a one-goal advantage over AC Milan, Manchester United is determined to attack in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal.

Written by Indo-Asian News Service

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Milan, Italy:

Despite holding a one-goal advantage over AC Milan, Manchester United is determined to attack in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal.

"I don't think sitting back would do me, the team or the fans any good," United coach Ferguson said on Tuesday.

After winning the first leg 3-2 at Old Trafford, United needs only a draw Wednesday at San Siro to reach its third European final in Athens. However, with his defensive cover stretched to its limits, Ferguson is looking for more goals.

"We're going to do it our way, win or lose. We will have an attacking emphasis with discipline," Ferguson said.

"I would be delighted to play (Ferdinand and Vidic), but I don't know if that will be possible," Ferguson said. "I have yet to make a decision. I want to see them in training tonight and gauge their confidence."

Milan is confident of overturning the deficit, even if United scores.

"If we were to concede a goal, it will be no tragedy," Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "If we play like we did for the first hour at Old Trafford, we can advance."

The Rossoneri led 2-1 a week ago on a pair of goals by Kaka, until Wayne Rooney equalized in the 59th minute and scored the winner in injury time. Cristiano Ronaldo got United's opening goal.

Six-time champion Milan has never lost to United over two legs and has knocked the English team out of the competition three times, including the 1958 and 1969 semifinals.

"This is a game where the past means little," Ancelotti said. "We are both playing to reach the final."

United, which won the trophy in 1968 and 1999, has only surrendered a first-leg lead once in Europe's top club competition - against Milan in 1958. However, the Red Devils failed to score on their last visit to San Siro in 2005, losing 1-0 in the first knockout round.

"Manchester United have improved a lot compared to two years ago," Ancelotti said. "They have improved a lot in attack. Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are more experienced, more effective."

Seven of Manchester's starting lineup from 2005 are expected to play on Wednesday.

"When we went to Milan two years ago and lost, we struggled a bit," Rooney said. "Myself, Cristiano and Darren Fletcher were young lads then, and it showed against such an experienced side with players like Paolo Maldini. But we've matured as a team. So, hopefully we can go to Milan on Wednesday and finish the job."

Maldini injured

Maldini aggravated a left knee injury in the first leg and Ancelotti said late on Tuesday that he would not play in the return match. Kakha Kaladze will likely replace him, after partnering Alessandro Nesta in Milan's central defense in training on Monday. Daniele Bonera is another possibility.

Maldini, 38, has made a record 167 European appearances. Tellingly, the Milan captain was off the field when Rooney scored last Tuesday.

"I'll be in Athens whatever happens," Ferguson said. "It would be fantastic to see a player like Maldini playing in the final."

Ancelotti rested striker Filippo Inzaghi in Saturday's 1-0 win over Torino in Italy's Serie A. Milan is third in the domestic league, after starting the season with an eight-point penalty from the Italian match-fixing scandal.

Inzaghi should be supported by Kaka and Clarence Seedorf in Milan's 4-3-2-1 "Christmas tree" formation.

"I think that's what it will be, but it could change," Ancelotti said.

United rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat Everton 4-2 on Saturday and leads the English Premier League by five points with three matches remaining.

The Red Devils are on course to repeat their 1999 treble sweep of the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup titles. United plays Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 19.

Ferguson criticised Jose Mourinho on Tuesday after the Chelsea coach accused Ronaldo of being uneducated because he came from a working-class family. Ronaldo has previously accused Mourinho of being unable to accept defeat.

"I don't know why he has done this," Ferguson said. "Maybe he is trying to unsettle the boy. But it is really below the belt to bring class into it."